PDF idea

[tribalkid]

My partner and i are playing around with this idea.  Though we are still tinkering out rules and settings and what not, the idea of a pdf preview has crossed our mind.  

Our thought behind it was: Include a few snippets (teasers, if you will) of the system, and several pages worth of backgrounds stuff,, an Idea of charecter creation, basically enough to get potential buyers attention, but not enough to truely play the game.  

Then, as we find interested buyers, send them either a chock full cd, or the pdf version, their choice.  We figure either way would satisfy most gamers, and hopefully we would be able to produce a full book soon.  Though, witht he shoestring budget we are on, we dont forsee that for quite a while.

[Ron Edwards]

Hello,

This is exactly the route I took with Sorcerer, when the full game was a PDF product, and it works very well.

Best,
Ron

[hive]

My question is...how do you show a partial system? Don't alot of system mechanics relate and rely upon each other? How do you preview half o' system and show the strengths and merits of it?



-
h
www.internalist.com

[Jack Spencer Jr]

This is the problem. A partial or "lite" version of the rules don't really give the full effect of the rules. Heck, I remember Ron saying this about the free download version of Hero Wars and Sorcerer. The other problem is that to have a lite/free version of a game, you have to write it. Just cutting text out of the main rulesbook to make a lite version doesn't work, usually, or will require enough editing that you may as well've written from scratch.

This is why I like Clinton's idea of a seriously locked PDF where you can read it on the screen only. No printing. Possibly with a nag pop-up and, maybe some kind of lock to keep you from duplicating the file, if that's possible.

The lite or freebie version of rules is a topic worthy of it's own thread, I think.

[tribalkid]

the problem with that kind of file is that its really easy  to open up anyway.

A quick serch on Kazaa will give you sever options, liek programs that will do it for you, or step by step directions.  But this is, IMO, akind to software piracy, and all but unstoppable anyway.  It doesnt really matter how its done in a PDF, because its going to be obtainable.

Now, putting it on a webpage, and "disallowing" the use of the right mouse key, may be anouther option... Though i dont see the problem in giving them the ability to print the "lite" version, since they are going to just copy it down by hand anyway, if they really want it.

[Jason L Blair]

Now, putting it on a webpage, and "disallowing" the use of the right mouse key, may be anouther option...

Just wanted to pop in and say that's easier to get around than a locked PDF.

Truth is, there's no way to completely lock a file. The most you can do is set up obstacles that make it too much of a pain in the ass to bother.

Knowing this, just try to balance investment on your end with the "deter factor" of the security measure. That's what makes Clinton's locked PDF idea a good one. Small investment, quite a nice deterrent.

[Bailey]

Now, putting it on a webpage, and "disallowing" the use of the right mouse key, may be anouther option... Though i dont see the problem in giving them the ability to print the "lite" version, since they are going to just copy it down by hand anyway, if they really want it.

Pressing left and right mouse buttons simultaneously brings up the right click menus even on pages with right click disabled.  Noone should bother with disabling it.

[Eugene Zee]

All,

I think it sounds really cool to lock a PDF that way so people can review it before they buy it.  But the partial preview might be a better idea.  You can still lock the PDF but create a preview package.  A Pdf that incorporates enough of the material to give a good idea of the style of play and the mechnic and use a lot of example stories.  Outline a brief part of a playing session to give an idea of how the game plays.
Most gamers will have a good idea of what a game offers, mechanicswise, just from the types of dice that you use.  You don't have to tell them everything to get them to be interested.

Great idea, man.